Folding bed



(No Model.)

A. S. VBURlJVlFHtB/I.

FOLDING BED.

No. 324,748. Patented Aug. 18, 1885.

WITNESSES C ATTORNEYS N. PETERS. Phntn-Likugmpher. Wzshngion. D. C.

*raras i PATENT FOLDING BED. p

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 324,748, dated August 18, 1835. Application filed March 7, 1885. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.'

Beit known that I, ALFRED S. BURNHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parkersburg, in the county of Butler and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Beds, and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as `will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure I of the drawings is a representation of this invention, and is a vertical longitudina-l section as folded for a sofa. Fig. 2 is an end View, and is part-ly broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section as unfolded for a bed. Fig. 4t is a detail view.

This invention has relation to folding beds; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, all hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings the invention is illustrated in the form of a sofa-bed.

The letter A designates the main supporting-frame, which is of rectangular form and open between its side walls, B B, and end walls,

l C, as indicated at D, this opening being designed to receive the vertically-moving middle portion, E, of the bed, and to provide room for its descent during the folding operation.

F indicates the front or seat portion or section, which is hinged at G in front, and is designed to open forward. This portion is usually upholstered both on its top and bottom. Vhen unfolded, its bed-surface is uppermost, and when folded the seat surface K is presented. NVhen folded, the frame of this front or seat portion rests on the main frame A, between the upwardly-projectiug arms L, with which said main frame is usually provided.

N represents the back portion or section of the folding bed, which is hinged to the rear of the main frame, as indicated at I). XVhen unfolded and in horizontal position,this portion extends in rear of the main frame and is supported at its outer edge by folding supports R. This rear portion is usually arranged to fold forward in position against the arms L,

so as to present a back for a sofa. Hooks or catches m are provided to hold the back in position when raised.

S represents a folding edge cushion with which the back portion, N, may be provided. W'hen unfolded, the edge cushion may be turned up in vertical position,forming a head wall or guard adapted to keep off drafts of air and to prevent the pillows from slipping off theend of the bed.

vThe middle portion or seetion,E,of the bed extends transversely between the front and rear portions, and is provided with guidebearings V, which engage vertical guides Z of the main frame and serve to preserve the level position. To the middle portion are attached cords or chains I, which pass over pulleys or bearings J, and are attached by their outer ends to the frame of the front portion, F. Movement of the middle portion, E, is therefore in this construction governed by the movement of the front portion. When the front portion is unfolded, the middle portion is raised to the top of the boxing until its surface is level with the bed-surface ofthe front portion. When, however, the front portion is folded back, the middle portion descends into its boxing out of the way. Then the bed is unfolded, the portion F extends transversely across the middle, and the parts F and N form the head and foot port-ions.

Vhen the bed is not desired, the bedelothes are folded upon the top of the middle section, and then, as the front portion is folded the middle part descends with the bedclothes, so that a receptacle is provided therefor by the bed itself.

I am aware that a convertible bed-lounge is not` new, the bed-bottom being formed in hinged sections and the frame recessed vertically, or provided with a receptacle for the said bottom when folded together, the mid die section of the bed being connected with the frame by means of parallel moving arms, so that it may be raised and lowered within the said receptacle when the head and foot sections of the bottom are thrown out, and therefore do not claim such devices, broad-ly.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1sM

IOC)

l. In a folding bed, the combination, with a supporting-frame having hinged front and back'sections, of a reciprocating middle seo- Jtion engaging Vertical guides, whereby it is kept in level position, substantially as speciiied.

2. In e folding bed, the Combination, with hinged foot and head sections, of a verticallyreciprocating middle portion rising and falling in :t main frame to which said foot and head sections are hinged, and the connectingcords whereby the movements of the middle portion are governed, substantially as speciiied.

3.A sofa-bed consisting of an open supporting-frame having the hinged front and back sections and the reciprocating middle section, and engaging vertical guides of the main frame, and operated by flexible connections extending to the front section, snbstan- 2o tielly as specified.

4. The combinatiomwith the main supporting-frame and the portion F hinged -thereto, of the Vertically-reciprocating portion E in the opening of the main frame, and engaging 25 verticali guides thereof, and the connectingeoids I, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED SANFORD BURNHAM.

Vitnesses:

J. D. OWEN,

R. G. BUSHEY. 

